Pacific Islands Research Institute
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE PRIMARY GOAL OF PIRI IS TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF THE SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS, HISTORY AND CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH A VARIED SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LECTURES AND EXHIBITS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
- Income
- $5,000
- Spending
- $3,751
- Reserves
- 18.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $413 spent. PIRI ORGANIZES RESEARCH EXPIDITIONS TO REMOTE PACIFIC ISLANDS. THESE INVOLVE PROMOTING EDUCATION, AS WELL AS ARCHAEOLOGICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES. OUR INTEREST IS TO PROMOTE A GREATEER UNDERSTANDING OF THESE PAST CULTURES IN A WIDER NONSECTARIAN UNIVERSAL SPHERE. THIS ALLOWS PACIFIC ISLAND CULTURES TO BETTER CONCEPTUALIZE THEIR PAST EVENTS AND FEEL PRIDE IN THEIR UNIQUE PAST CULTURAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SUCH AS THEIR ASTRONOMICAL KNOWLEDGE AND NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS, OR THE CARVING, TRANSPORT AND ERECTION OF THE GIANT STONE STATUES ON EASTER ISLAND. PIRI HAS SPONSORED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAPA NUI OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ON EASTER ISLAND.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Caution.
Not in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations. Churches and some very small organizations are not required to register, so this alone does not mean it is not a real charity.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
Not on the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.